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Master's Degree in Art History in Rome, Italy

The first graduate program in art history, based entirely in Rome!

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WHY STUDY AT JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY?

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ROME IS YOUR CAMPUS
Seminars and courses take place at JCU’s campuses in the centrally located Trastevere district of Rome and in nearby Roman museums, churches, palaces, monuments, and archaeological parks. Some courses involve travel to other parts of Italy—for example, to Naples, Florence, or Assisi.
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RENOWNED INTERNATIONAL FACULTY
Classes are taught by professors of art history from JCU’s Department of Art History and Studio Art. Faculty members come from diverse backgrounds and hold PhDs and other advanced degrees in art history and archaeology from leading institutions.
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COMPLETE YOUR DEGREE IN JUST 15 MONTHS
The degree program can be completed in three semesters of full-time study (Fall-Spring-Fall) and an intervening summer  or two academic years.
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SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID
John Cabot University helps dedicated and deserving students meet their educational goals through a focused merit-based scholarship program. Financial Aid at JCU comes in various forms such as loans, scholarships, and other resources.


WHEN ROME IS YOUR CAMPUS

Our MA in Art History offers a truly distinctive experience—combining the academic rigor of the U.S. graduate education tradition with the unparalleled resources of Rome. The program emphasizes student research, methodological innovation, and faculty mentorship, all within a city that has shaped the history of art and architecture for over two thousand years.

Watch our video to learn more!



ABOUT THE PROGRAM

 

This 36-credit-hour Master’s degree focuses on the arts of Rome, Italy, and the Mediterranean, from antiquity to the present. Students obtain a broad base in current art-historical method and practice through first-hand engagement with art objects, built environments, and archival documentation in Rome and in other parts of Italy and Europe. They also develop a deeper concentration in an area of their choosing through an MA thesis and professional internship. 

MEET THE DIRECTOR


Lila Professor
Professor Lila Yawn
Director or MA in International Affairs 
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs 

"Our MA program trains the next generation of art historians through direct engagement with Rome’s unparalleled artistic heritage. Classes go beyond the classroom, taking students to museums, piazzas, contemporary art galleries, archives, and even artist studios. The focus is on Rome, but with a global lens, cultivating skills transferrable to any context." 


TESTIMONIALS


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Anaiis Avanesian

"The opportunity to live in Rome and experience the works and sites we were learning about rather than just read about them was absolutely invaluable."
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Gavin Austin Gaebe

"These past two years have been the most exhilarating, challenging, memorable, thought-provoking, interesting, and rewarding years of my life. I have my invaluable professors and amazing colleagues to thank for making my time in Italy at John Cabot University so fulfilling."
elena schembri

Elena Schembri

"The program enriched me mostly because it taught me new methodological approaches. It prepared me as a young scholar as I apply to Ph.D. programs."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS JCU ACCREDITED?

John Cabot University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801. (267-284-5000) www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The academic degrees conferred by John Cabot may be recognized for admission to the +2 in Italian universities, pending further requirements, when accompanied by the Dichiarazione di Valore or the Statement of Comparability. JCU’s Frank J. Guarini School of Business received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 2022.

ARE CLASSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH?

All of the classes are in English (except for advanced foreign language and literature classes

DO I NEED A VISA?

If you plan to study for a semester or longer, are from the United States or another country that is not a member of the European Union, you need a student visa before entering Italy. A student visa is mandatory by Italian law and must be obtained before you arrive. Applying for a student visa is a completely separate process from applying to John Cabot University. During the summer sessions, citizens of the United States or other countries do not need a study visa, as students may stay in Italy for under 90 days without a visa. 

HOW IS THE CURRICULUM ORGANIZED?

To graduate from John Cabot University with a bachelor's degree, you must fulfill all academic requirements, earn an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses taken at the University, with no more than two grades lower than C- in core courses and have earned at least 120 credits. Typically, one class is worth three credits, which reflects the number of academic hours spent in class each week. Most students enroll in five classes every semester, for a total of 15 credits. If you enter JCU with no transfer credits, as most American high school graduates, you will typically be able to earn enough credits to graduate in four years (eight semesters) of study. Pending previous coursework and/or a 13-year secondary school diploma, students may be granted transfer credits upon entry and may therefore be able to complete their degree in less than four years. American colleges and universities often apply the following titles to students to define progress toward graduation: Freshman (first year in college 0 to 30 credits), Sophomore (second year in college 31 to 60 credits), Junior (third year in college 61 to 90 credits) and Senior (fourth and final year in college 91 to 120 credits). 

DOES JCU HAVE HOUSING?

John Cabot University offers apartment-style housing for students. There are a few housing options: the Gianicolo Residence, the Trastevere Apartments, and the Lungara Apartments. On semesters with high enrollment, students may also be placed in neighborhood apartments in convenient locations. Thanks to Rome's public transportation system, no apartment is more than a short tram or bus ride away from JCU, and most are within easy walking distance. Shared apartments have fully equipped kitchens, bed and bath linens, and a washing machine. Amenities also include WiFi and 24-hour security in our residences. On-call JCU staff and a community of Resident Assistants provide support for students during their stay at JCU.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER I GRADUATE?

Students who earn degrees at John Cabot University are well-prepared to enter the international workforce. Our alumni are hired by multinational companies, universities, financial institutions, and diplomatic organizations. JCU graduates are also accepted into some of the finest graduate and professional schools in the world, including Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, the London School of Economics, King's College London, Oxford University, and Università Bocconi. 

Welcome to Rome

WELCOME TO

ROME

YOUR AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

ABROAD


Where American academics meet Roman inspiration.


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